CarModelProblems.com

2001 Subaru Outback Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline — runs 1.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
171Complaints
4Recalls
16Crashes
5Fires
7Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline (11.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints here are 1.7× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Fuel System, Gasoline19 · 11.1%RecalledRecall 13E065000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor14 · 8.2%No official action
Suspension13 · 7.6%RecalledRecall 03V153000
Power Train:clutch Assembly12 · 7%RecalledRecall 02V282000
Vehicle Speed Control10 · 5.8%RecalledRecall 04V128000
Power Train:automatic Transmission9 · 5.3%RecalledRecall 02V282000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE19 · 11.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR14 · 8.2%
SUSPENSION13 · 7.6%
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY12 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10 · 5.8%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9 · 5.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8 · 4.7%
TIRES7 · 4.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6 · 3.5%
STRUCTURE:BODY5 · 2.9%

Percentages are the share of the 171 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 13E065000 · 2013 · reported 11/29/2013

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

NHTSA campaign 04V128000 · 2004 · reported 03/16/2004

IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 03V153000 · 2003 · reported 04/22/2003

IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 02V282000 · 2002 · reported 10/30/2002

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER.”NHTSA complaint 10107791 — filed 01/24/2005 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

322003202620057112007124200971020116520131182015122019

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Outback?

Fuel system, gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 19 of 171 NHTSA complaints (11.1%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (14), suspension (13), power train:clutch assembly (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2001 Subaru Outback have?

171 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2001 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 13E065000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Subaru Outback's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.